A 21-year-old man opened fire on a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint outside the White House on Saturday evening and was killed after Secret Service officers returned fire, officials said. The suspect and a bystander were both taken to a hospital; the suspect later died, while the bystander’s condition has not been confirmed.
The shooting occurred near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, close to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where approximately 15 to 30 gunshots were reportedly fired. No Secret Service personnel were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the incident and was unharmed, a Secret Service spokesperson confirmed. The White House was briefly placed on lockdown but was reopened shortly before 7 p.m. ET.
Suspect Identified and Previous Contact with Secret Service
The suspect has been identified as Nasire Best, who had lived in Washington, D.C. for roughly 18 months. According to a source familiar with the investigation, Best had a prior encounter with the Secret Service in July 2025 when he attempted to gain entry to the White House. At that time, he was arrested and subsequently committed to a psychiatric ward for mental health treatment.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation
The suspect reportedly pulled a weapon from a bag and fired on the officers at the checkpoint. Secret Service officers returned fire, striking the suspect. It remains unclear whether the bystander was wounded by gunfire from the suspect or the officers.
The FBI was involved in responding to the shooting alongside the Secret Service. Multiple Senate and House leaders publicly praised the swift and decisive response of the Secret Service agents for protecting the president and others near the White House.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing security concerns surrounding the White House and its immediate perimeter, underscoring the critical role of the Secret Service in protecting national leadership. The fact that the suspect had previous contact with the Secret Service and mental health issues may raise questions about how such threats are monitored and managed to prevent future attempts.
Background
This shooting follows a recent security breach outside a Washington, D.C., venue where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was held, indicating a pattern of concerning incidents near key government locations. The Secret Service maintains high-alert protocols in these areas given the sensitive nature of the president’s presence and national security implications.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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